Vandalism Of Political Sign

The Newtown Police Department is investigating the vandalism of a political sign that occurred between 9 pm October 9 and 10 am October 10. A resident of Karen Boulevard reported that a Chris Murphy election sign had been vandalized. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Officer McCluskey of the Newtown Police Department at 203-426-5841 and reference case number 2400015166.

Went Off Road

Newtown Police report Ailton Ramos, 30, of Ansonia, operating a 2020 Toyota Camry, was traveling southbound on Swamp Road at 11:36 pm October 10. Ramos ran off the road right, and upon hitting the grass, Ramos said the swampy conditions of the roadside “sucked his vehicle in” and he traveled down the embankment, before coming to rest against a small tree.

No injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed back to the roadway but driven from the scene.

Ramos was issued a verbal warning for failure to maintain a lane.

Bicyclist Hits Car

Newtown Police report a 13-year-old male, riding a bicycle, was traveling northbound on Head O’Meadow Road at 4:19 pm October 11. Rebecca Cintorino, 40, of Newtown, operating a 2023 Toyota Sierra, was traveling westbound on Castle Hill Road. The bicyclist continued straight from Head O’Meadow Road across the eastbound lane of Castle Hill Road into the westbound lane, and struck the front driver’s side bumper of Cintorino’s vehicle.

The bicyclist complained of back and left arm pain, and was transported to Danbury Hospital for evaluation. No vehicles were towed.

The 13-year-old male bicyclist was issued a verbal warning for failure to grant right of way at a stop sign.

Rear-Ended On South Main

Newtown Police report Edward Rivera, 33, of New Milford, operating a 2014 Subaru Crosstrek, was traveling northbound on South Main Street at 4:35 pm October 11. He was traveling behind a 2019 Nissan Rogue operated by Julia Champagne, 18, of Redding. Champagne slowed for traffic ahead and Rivera rear-ended her vehicle.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

Rivera received an infraction for failure to drive a reasonable distance apart.

Hit Embankment

Zachary Hunleth, 25, of Suffield, operating a 2023 Toyota Corolla, was traveling eastbound on Botsford Hill Road at 8:11 pm October 11. While traveling through a sharp left curve, Hunleth traveled straight off the roadway into an embankment.

No injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed.

Hunleth was issued a verbal warning for failure to maintain a proper lane.

Following Too Close

Newtown Police report Andrew DeGirolamo, 24, of Sandy Hook, operating a 2019 Subaru Outback, was traveling westbound on High Bridge Road at 6:32 am October 15. He was traveling behind a 2021 Infiniti Q50 operated by Marian Teves-Vanlenten, 55, of Sandy Hook. Teyes-Vanlenten stopped at the stop sign at the intersection of High Bridge Road and Botsford Hill Road, and DeGirolamo rear-ended her.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

DeGirolamo was issued a verbal warning for following too close.

Hyundai Hits Jeep

Newtown Police report John Bottelsen, 56, of Brookfield, operating a 2014 Hyundai Elantra, was traveling northbound on South Main Street at 4:43 pm October 16. He was traveling behind a 2018 Jeep Renegade operated by McKayla Bivona, 31, of Waterbury. Bivona came to a stop and Bottelsen rear-ended her vehicle.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

Bottelsen received a verbal warning for failure to drive a reasonable distance apart.

Reckless Driving, Forgery Charges

Newtown Police report that on October 17 at approximately 3:34 pm, officers responded to the area of Whippoorwill Hill Road and Mt Pleasant Road on a report of a vehicle driving recklessly. The vehicle was located and the officer effected a traffic stop. The driver of the vehicle, Layne Barket, 18, of Newtown, was found to have warrants from Naugatuck and Newtown for his arrest and was placed under arrest.

Barket was charged with operating an unregistered motor vehicle, illegal operation of a vehicle without minimum insurance, illegal operation of a motor vehicle while under suspension, reckless driving, evading responsibility for property or injury, following too close, second-degree forgery, and second-degree violating the conditions of release.

Barket was unable to post bond and held at the Newtown Police Department until his court date of October 18 in Danbury Superior Court.

Collision In Intersection

Newtown Police report Megan Pelella, 22, of Monroe, operating a 2016 Jeep Renegade, was traveling westbound on Jeremiah Road at 10:47 am October 18. Elijah Kuhn, 22, of Sandy Hook, operating a 1996 BMW 328IC, was traveling southbound on Pole Bridge Road.

Pelella’s vehicle struck Kuhn’s vehicle in the intersection of Jeremiah Road and Pole Bridge Road.

No injuries were reported. Kuhn’s vehicle was towed.

No enforcement action was taken.

Hit Tree

Newtown Police report Liam Goodman, 17, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., operating a 2021 Audi A4, was traveling south on Beaver Dam Road at 2:04 pm October 18. Goodman lost control of the vehicle on the dirt road, leaving the roadway and striking a tree.

No injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed.

Goodman was issued a verbal warning for traveling too fast for conditions.

Alleged Drunk Driver Had Child In Car

Newtown Police report that at approximately 6:26 pm October 18, the Newtown Police Department received a 911 call in regards to an erratic driver. The caller advised that a silver Volvo XE90 was swerving and unable to maintain its lane, and at one point was on the opposite side of the road. The caller remained behind the vehicle until officers located it traveling southbound on Main Street.

Officers observed the vehicle was traveling southbound with its left signal flashing but did not take the next left turn onto Glover Avenue. The vehicle was crossing over the fog line and making sudden movements within its lane. At the time there was heavy traffic in the area. The vehicle began swerving towards oncoming traffic, at which point officers initiated a traffic stop.

The operator, Clare Coughlin, 39, of Monroe, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs with a child of less than 18 in the vehicle, failure to maintain a lane, improper turn signal, risk of injury to a child, and interfering with officers.

Coughlin was released on a $5,000 bond with a court date of October 29 in Danbury Superior Court.

Turned From Wrong Lane

Newtown Police report Amber Cooks, 25, of Ansonia, operating a 2024 Acura Integra, was traveling southbound on Route 25 near Mile Hill Road in the lane to go straight at 5:23 pm October 19. Mei Curro, 64, of Southbury, operating a 2011 Subaru Outback, was traveling southbound on Route 25 in the left turn lane, turning on to Mile Hill Road. Cooks attempted to turn left from the straight lane, and struck Curro’s vehicle.

No injuries were reported. Curro’s vehicle was towed.

Cooks was issued an infraction for making an improper turn.